Can Employee Volunteering Programmes be fun and fulfilling?

Good news!

Employee Volunteering Programmes (EVPs) can be fun and fulfilling.

The Importance of Balance

Balancing enjoyment with meaningful impact is key to maximising engagement and effectiveness.

If an EVP is all work and no play, employees may feel drained, leading to decreased participation and effectiveness. If a programme is too frivolous and lacks depth, its impact will not strike a chord.

One of the happy by-products of giving arises when one shares their passion (something that sparks joy) and skills to help others, which in turn provides the volunteer with a euphoric feeling and sense of validation.

Why Balanced EVPs Matter

💡It increases participation: Enjoyable volunteering activities attract and retain employee interest. If an activity is enjoyable, employees are more likely to participate repeatedly and spread the word about their experience, leading to sustained engagement over time.

💡It boosts workplace culture: A well-known by-product of volunteering is it how it boosts morale and employee job satisfaction. It can bring together employees from different departments, encouraging cross-departmental interaction. These volunteering activities don't have to cut into work time excessively and can be as short as 30-minute packing events or creative eco-friendly to making tasks and can serve as a break from the regular work routine, reducing stress and improving mental health.

💡It promotes relationship building: Volunteering creates stronger connections between employees and the communities they serve, leading to lasting relationships and deeper community impact as well as lead to more sustained engagement over time.

💡Adding depth to your values: Bringing a company's values to life can be easier said than done, getting employees to live and truly embody these values can be even harder. However, when this does happen, you know you have.